We have a lot of par 3's where I live. I went to play one the other day to start the handicapping process. unfortunately, I was paired up with a group of 3 that play "best ball. So I figured, what the heck? First time out playing and figured I will start next time. 2 older ladies who hit from the green and a gentleman who hit from the gold. I decided to do the neighborly thing and join in on the gold as well. I have downloaded a copy of the scorecard.
My question is this. Should I play from the longer black tees for the handicapping process? I won't let them dictate my play again though. I will inform them I am trying to establish a handicap.
Google "What set of tees should I play". You will find some articles there that have different formulas to figure out the total course range in yards based on how far you hit a 5 iron or one based on how far you hit your driver, or based on your handicap. Since you don't have a handicap yet, I would stick with the ones based on how far you hit a particular club.
For instance the range based on driver distance (mine averages about 225) is 5800-6000. The one based on 5 iron distance (mine is 170) is 6120 (170*36). So either formula puts me in about the same total length range.
Below is from an older version of the USGA handicap manual, but regardless it doesn't appear as though Par 3 courses are eligible for handicap score posting purposes.
Source: USGA Handicap Manual
f. Unacceptable Scores
Scores made under the following conditions are not acceptable for handicap purposes and must not be entered in the player's scoring record:
(i) When fewer than seven holes are played;
(ii) When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the authorized golf association is in effect;
(iii) When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf (except for preferred lies);
(iv) When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes (or less than 1,500 yards for 9 holes);
(v) When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs;
(vi) When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating;
(vii) When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or tees;
(viii) With respect to Rule 14-3 (Rules of Golf), when an artificial device or piece of unusual equipment is used during the execution of a stroke or when equipment is used in an unusual manner during the execution of a stroke. (See Decision 5-1f/2 for an exception.)
To add @burkholder.ronald I would also talk to the MBWA to make sure you are doing what they would accept. So you can play in the handicap division. They are available and awesome to deal with.
Hi Tom,
Okay,
Your are fixating on an issue that doesn't matter. I play at a lot of different courses during the season other than my home course. What matters is that you play honest by the rules and count all strokes as per the rules and penalties.
When you enter your round scores you enter the course, and tee boxes played from. This all automatically calculated in the GHIN handicap, course slope rating and such.
When I play other courses I look at yardage of the tees and select where I am going to play according to yardage. To be competitive on the course so I am hitting driver and irons and such, not playing from distances from where I have to play driver long iron, fairway wood all the time. My home course and league I have no choice we are assigned tee boxes for flights we are in.
There are times I play from a closer box than normal for the group I may be with but not often.
The point is play (on par 3 course not a big difference) but when you hit regular 18 with par 4's & 5's & 3's, then pick a yardage that with your driver. Your 2nd shot you will be playing an appropriate choice 2nd club. So you get to play long , short and mid irons. The point of getting a handicap is it to truly reflect you game, so when you play it will be close to reflecting your average score when playing against someone with lower or higher handicap. This makes the competition even out so to speak. Because if you have a17 handicap and playing against a 10, you get 7 strokes more than then 10 for the round in stroke play. If it was match play, you would get 7 strokes on the 7 hardest handicapped holes on the course that would figure in on those holes when playing head to head.
You want you handicap to get lower but only because you are playing well.
Make sense?
I don’t think you can post a score to GHIN unless the course is sloped and rated. The slope and rating is usually posted on the score card and I don’t see it on your card. You may have to play the 18 hole courses there to establish a handicap.
it won’t matter what tees you play when posting the scores as your differential will be based on the slope and rating of the tees you play.
Talk to your pro at the course. He can help you with understanding the GHIN system.